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Do not eat worms found in fruit on the ground

The Literal Commandment

Whatever crawls on its belly, and whatever walks on all fours, whatever has many feet, in respect to every swarming thing that swarms on the earth, you shall not eat them, for they are detestable." (Leviticus 11:42)

The literal commandment is that we are not to eat things that fit the described criteria (crawls on its belly, walks on all fours, has many feet, etc).

Messiah Says

Messiah implicitly affirmed this commandment when He spoke about the Law:

"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19)

Some have asked about Mark 7:19. Messiah was speaking of ritual impurity resulting from eating bread with unwashed hands. We recommend this detailed study of that passage if you have additional questions.

Pictures of Messiah

G-d created the heaven, the earth, the sea and everything that is in them. (Psalm 146:6) He did so with an intended structure and order. Part of that intended order was that certain animals were made for food and others were not. This was recognized from the beginning even as early as Noah's time. He recognized the difference between clean and unclean animals. (Genesis 7:2-9).

In a similar manner, there is a certain individual in G-d's order who would save the world from sin: the Messiah Yeshua. There is no other person intended for that purpose. Attempting to find salvation in anyone (or anything) else is akin to eating an animal not intended for food or intending to marry your sister: G-d says 'no'.

How Messiah Fulfilled

We know that Messiah did not sin (Hebrews 4:15) and so we know Messiah fulfilled this commandment by not eating non-kosher (unsuitable) animals.

Traditional Observance

Traditional observance of this commandment is found in a very specific situation encompassed by this commandment: not eating worms found in fruit on the ground.

Other Notes

We are able to fulfill this commandment today and should not eat non-kosher animals.

EnglishWhatever crawls on its belly, and whatever walks on all fours, whatever has many feet, in respect to every swarming thing that swarms on the earth, you shall not eat them, for they are detestable.